Southern Gardening: Fasciated flowers fascinate folks

Written by Gary R. Bachman
Friday, 02 September 2011 16:08

Sometimes the most interesting plants in our landscapes are the ones that can’t be predicted. Each year, there is a wonderful, random variety that presents itself in the garden through the mutations that occur in every plant species.The secret to finding some of these botanical gems is taking a closer look at flowering and evergreen plants. Every once in a while, we are rewarded with garden treasure.Mother Nature makes a mistake on occasion. A fairly common type of mutation results in growth that is ribbon-like or flattened. Called fasciation, it can affect all parts of plants, including stems and leaves, and causes the plant to develop strange shapes and grow at unusual angles.